VIRAL HEPATITIS C IN ADULT DIABETICS IN COTONOU IN 2023: PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS.

Introduction: Diabetes and chronic liver diseases such as viral hepatitis C (HVC) are global public health problems. The combination of the 2 increases the risk of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate viral hepatitis C in adult diabetics in referral health centers in Cotonou.

COLORECTAL CANCERS IN COTONOU FROM 2013 TO 2023: EPIDEMIOLOGICAL, DIAGNOSTIC, THERAPEUTIC AND PROGNOSTIC ASPECTS.

Introduction: The increasing incidence and high mortality of colorectal cancer (CRC) make it a major public health concern in developing countries.

Objective: The aim of this work was to study the epidemiological, diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic aspects of colorectal cancers from 2013 to 2023 in Cotonou.

Methods: This was a descriptive, analytical study with retrospective data collection, covering CRC patients managed in specialized centers in Cotonou (university clinics of visceral surgery, internal medicine and hepatogastroenterology at CNHU-HKM and the Cotonou Cancer Center).

Extraction of dye sorghum biocolorant for the dyeing of , a West African soft cheese.

We developed a sustainable method to extract the red biocolorant from dye sorghum leaf sheaths for dyeing , a West African soft cheese. The pigments were extracted using three different solvents: commercial ethanol (method A), (a local liquor distilled from palm wine; method B) and aqueous alkaline solvent (method C). In methods A and B, a pot still was used to distil and collect the solvent for reuse.

Elaboration and Characterization of Electrodes from and Charcoal Powder with Coconut Bio-Pitch as a Binder.

Carbon-based electrodes have recently been most widely used in P-MFC due to their desirable properties such as biocompatibility, chemical stability, affordable price, corrosion resistance, and ease of regeneration. In general, carbon-based electrodes, particularly graphite, are produced using a complex process based on petroleum derivatives at very high temperatures. This study aims to produce electrodes from bio-pitch and charcoal powder as an alternative to graphite electrodes.

Health systems strengthening through surgical and perioperative care pathways: a changing paradigm.

Global health has traditionally focused on the primary health development with disease-specific focus such as HIV, malaria and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). As such, surgery has traditionally been neglected in global health as investment in them is often expensive, relative to these other priorities. Therefore, efforts to improve surgical care have remained on the periphery of initiatives in health system strengthening.

Analysis of properties of biodiesel and its development and promotion in Ghana.

The increasing global population and the challenges associated with fossil fuel has led to a surge in energy demand, necessitating research on renewable and environmentally friendly energy sources. Biodiesel, is produced from biomass materials like vegetable oil and fats, is a promising alternative. Transesterification is a principal method used in biodiesel production, as it is simple, versatile, and efficient.

Antimicrobial use in hospitalized patients: a point prevalence survey across four tertiary hospitals in Niger.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global threat to public health. Misuse or overuse of antimicrobials contributes to the emergence of AMR. Data on antimicrobial prescribing represent the cornerstone for guiding antimicrobial stewardship strategies.

Epidemiologic profile of hemoglobinopathies in Benin.

Background: Sickle cell disease is the most common inherited blood disorder in the world with the birth of approximately 300,000 newborns screened each year. In 2009, the World Health Organization ranked the fight against sickle cell disease among the priorities for the Africa regions. The best way to prevent this incurable disease remains, on one hand systematic screening at birth, and on the other the proscription of risky union between heterozygous subjects.

Genetic diversity, essential oil's chemical constituents of aromatic plant (L.) Kuntze Syn. (L.) Poit. and its uses in crop protection: a review.

This review provides evidence on the genetic diversity, chemical constituents, and ecotoxicology of ' essential oil. It emphasizes the agricultural benefits such as crop protection effectiveness of the plant and highlights the existing knowledge gaps and research perspectives to promote its utilization in agriculture. A systematic and extensive review of the literature was done and all pertinent full-text articles and abstracts were analyzed and incorporated into the review.

Genetic diversity and population structure of superior shea trees (Vitellaria paradoxa subsp. paradoxa) using SNP markers for the establishment of a core collection in Côte d'Ivoire.

Background: The shea tree is a well-known carbon sink in Africa that requires a sustainable conservation of its gene pool. However, the genetic structure of its population is not well studied, especially in Côte d'Ivoire. In this study, 333 superior shea tree genotypes conserved in situ in Côte d'Ivoire were collected and genotyped with the aim of investigating its genetic diversity and population structure to facilitate suitable conservation and support future breeding efforts to adapt to climate change effects.

Harnessing Bacteriophages to Combat Antibiotic-Resistant Infections in Africa: A Comprehensive Review.

The conventional treatment of bacterial infections with antibiotics is becoming increasingly ineffective due to the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens. This literature review explores the potential of bacteriophages as an alternative or adjunctive therapy to antibiotics in combating MDR infections in Africa. This analysis focuses on current research regarding the integration of phage therapy into African healthcare, highlighting its challenges and opportunities.

Evaluation of hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine for the prevention of COVID-19 (COPCOV): A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has proved ineffective in treating patients hospitalised with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), but uncertainty remains over its safety and efficacy in chemoprevention. Previous chemoprevention randomised controlled trials (RCTs) did not individually show benefit of HCQ against COVID-19 and, although meta-analysis did suggest clinical benefit, guidelines recommend against its use.

Methods And Findings: Healthy adult participants from the healthcare setting, and later from the community, were enrolled in 26 centres in 11 countries to a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised trial of COVID-19 chemoprevention.

Epidemiology, treatment outcome and resistance profile of pulmonary tuberculosis cases at the Niamey national anti-tuberculosis center in Niger: a retrospective study.

Introduction: tuberculosis remains a major public health problem, with continuing high levels of prevalence, and mortality. In Niger, the incidence of tuberculosis remains high. This study aims to investigate the epidemiology of pulmonary tuberculosis at the National Anti-Tuberculosis Center of Niamey in Niger.

Precision nutrition for type 2 diabetes in Benin: leveraging linear goal programming to optimize diets with emphasis on adequacy, affordability, accessibility, and culture.

Background: Nutrition and diet are critical to managing Type 2 diabetes (T2D). Low-income households often face challenges maintaining a healthy and balanced diet due to food insecurity, availability, and cost. To address this issue, we used a linear goal programming (LGP) model to develop nutritionally adequate, affordable, accessible, and culturally acceptable diets for persons with T2D in Benin, a French-speaking sub-Saharan country.

Performance of electrocardiographic criteria for detecting LVH in hypertensive Africans.

Aims: To evaluate the performance of the currently accepted LVH electrocardiographic (ECG) criteria from ethnic-specific normal values.

Methods And Results: We included 309 hypertensive subjects with both ECG (12‑leads device) and echocardiographic analysis. The diagnosis of LVH was established by echocardiography from specific norms.

The prevalence of headache disorders in children and adolescents in Benin: a schools-based study.

Background: A global schools-based programme within the Global Campaign against Headache is estimating the burden of headache in children (6-11 years) and adolescents (12-17 years), cluster-sampling the world by conducting national studies in all world regions. Its purpose is to complement population-based studies in adults, adding to knowledge of the burden of headache and informing educational and health policies. This study in Benin was the third in the programme from sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).